Andrew Flintoff, the Ashes-winning former England all-rounder turned television personality, has been elected the president of the Professional Cricketers’ Association.
The 38-year-old, who was voted in at the PCA’s annual general meeting in Birmingham, succeeds fellow Lancastrian and Sky Sports commentator David Lloyd in the role. Flintoff’s term of office runs until the end of 2017, the union’s 50th anniversary.
“This is a huge honour, especially as it will be the golden jubilee of the PCA in 2017,” he said. “I have been a PCA member for more than 20 years now and it is an organisation I am proud to be involved in. The PCA has carried out pioneering work on mental health and wellbeing for past and present players through the Mind Matters series and the PCA Benevolent Fund does outstanding work in looking after players, past and current, and their dependants who fall on hard times.
“We have a small but dedicated team of professional staff who I look forward to working closely with during my time as president.”
Lloyd said: “I’m delighted to hand over the reins to Freddie, who I know will be as thrilled as I was to become PCA president. It’s an honour that is bestowed on very few and to head an organisation that does so much to help so many is a huge privilege.”
Flintoff, who will carry out ambassadorial work in the role, becomes only the seventh PCA president since the representative body was founded in 1967, with John Arlott, Jack Bannister, Mike Gatting, Sir Ian Botham, Chris Broad and Lloyd his predecessors.
Jason Ratcliffe, the PCA assistant chief executive, said: “Fred has always offered his help freely down the years, so it’s fantastic that he will take up this prestigious honorary role. He has transcended cricket since finishing and as the last terrestrial cricketing hero, he has earned respect and universal popularity. We’re all looking forward to having him o board, especially over our 50th anniversary.”
The PCA, which represents first-class cricketers past and present, will also have a new chief executive starting in March, with the former Worcestershire batsman David Leatherdale due to replace the outgoing Angus Porter.
